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VETERINARY COMMITTEE. 



Report on the Epidemic among Cattle. By Professor Sewell. 



The Veterinary Committee of the Royal Agricultural Society of 

 England, having, in compliance with a resolution of the Council, 

 sent a circular to each member, containing queries for informa- 

 tion on the nature and extent of the prevailing epidemic am.ong 

 cattle and other domestic stock, have received nearly 700 com- 

 munications, which may be generalised, as in the following 

 Report : — 



The disease had not made its appearance in England before 

 the summer of 1839, and with few exceptions had broken out in 

 the stock of those members who have sent communications, and 

 the information is mostly confined to what occurred on their own 

 farms and premises. 



Some members state that it prevails in their immediate neigh- 

 bourhood, and others at several miles' distance. It is generally 

 reported not to have prevailed extensively before 1840, and then 

 to have attacked all kinds of stock indiscriminately, even poultry, 

 dogs, cats, and deer. Influenza, by some called distemper^ ca- 

 tarrhs, and sore throats, prevailed much among horses, before 

 the epidemic, during its prevalence, and after it had ceased ; and 

 pulmonary diseases, proving fatal in several cases. 



As far as situation, nature of the soil, and general features or 

 aspect of the country are described, no exemption from disease 

 is recorded, whether mountainous, hilly, flat, w^ooded or open, 

 dry or damp, intersected by rivers or canals, or in the vicinity of 

 marshes, ponds, ditches, or any stagnant waters. 



It has been attributed by some to the prevalence of east or 

 north-east winds ; others supposed it induced or brought by the 

 south and west winds. Some are of opinion it has been pro- 

 duced by fogs, and abounded more in valleys, on the banks of 

 rivers, and low damp situations ; others attribute the outbreaks to 

 communication by the herdsmen, shepherds, or persons employed. 



Its attacks appear to have commenced, whatever was the 

 quarter from which the wind blew, and under all temperatures, 

 throughout the year, comm.encing and ceasing at uncertain 

 periods ; and the disease did not vary in its symptoms except 

 w^hen the atmospheric temperature was highest : then inflam- 

 matory action was more intense, and the disease more fatal, es- 

 pecially among animals that travelled to fairs or markets; bv 

 which it was introduced into premises and farms heretofore 

 exempt, and thus became disseminated in healthy districts. 

 Fever was increased bv fatisrue in travellinsf. 



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